Florida Man Attacks College Dorm With Golf Course Tractor

A Florida man is facing three counts of attempted murder after allegedly attacking a college dorm and nearby vehicles with a tractor stolen from a golf course in Key West, Florida. Credit: Key West Police

KEY WEST, Florida - A Florida man is facing three counts of attempted murder after allegedly attacking a college dorm and nearby vehicles with a tractor stolen from a golf course in Key West, Florida.

According to the Key West Police Department, the incident began at about 6 p.m. on May 4th when Ethan Robert Layne, 22, a groundskeeper at the golf course, stole a tractor from the golf course and drove it to the College of the Florida Keys.

Police say that, vased on evidence and interviews, Layne went to the college with the specific intent of killing two individuals. 

He allegedly drove the tractor through the lobby of the Lagoon Landings dormitory, then used the bucket attachment of the tractor to destroy the overhead plumbing under the building.

Layne then allegedly rammed a truck in the parking lot, overturning it. Another vehicle was occupied by a man and his four-year-old daughter. 

The victim saw the tractor veer toward his car, raise its front end and it smashed down on his car. The tractor backed away momentarily and the victim was able to escape the car with his child.

Police say that Layne aimed the tractor at a third vehicle, but the driver was able to evade the attack. He then drove the tractor off campus and onto College Road.

Numerous calls were flooding into the police dispatch center, and multiple officers responded. 

The first officer on scene encountered the tractor on College Road in front of the transit center. 

Layne then allegedly aimed the tractor directly at the police car and rammed it, lowering the bucket into the windshield several times. The officer then fired several rounds at his attacker. Shortly thereafter, Layne was taken into custody.

There were no injuries.

Ethan Robert Layne, 22, is charged with attempted murder of a law enforcement officer and two counts of premeditated attempted murder. He also faces four other felony charges and eight more felony charges are pending. Credit: Key West Police

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is conducting an independent investigation of the law enforcement officer discharging a firearm.

In addition to three attempted homicide charges, Layne is faced with charges of aggravated assault, grand theft of a vehicle, burglary, and criminal mischief. Early estimates put the damages in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The Florida man is being held without bond at the Monroe County Detention Center.